An auction is the process of buying and selling things by offering them up for bid, taking bids, and then selling the item to the highest bidder. In economic theory, an auction is a method for determining the value of a commodity that has an undetermined or variable price. Auctions can be with reserve or minimum, or without minimums, or absolute or no reserve. In reserve auctions, there is a minimum bid or reserve price; if the bidding does not reach the minimum, there is no sale (but the person who puts the item up for auction may still owe a fee to the auctioneer or auction company). In absolute or no reserve auctions, the sale is guaranteed, with only the price left to be determined. In the context of auctions, a bid is an offered price.
Auctions are publicly seen in several contexts and almost anything can be sold at auction. Some typical auction arenas include the following:
Although less publicly visible, the most economically important auctions are the commodities auctions in which the bidders are businesses even up to corporation level. Examples of this type of auction include:
Antiques and Collectibles Auctions

American Numismatic Rarities - Offers information about current auctions as well as current news items and a want list area.
Meta Description: [ Welcome to Stack's, a team of rare coin professionals, highly skilled in the presentation of numismatic auction sales. You can benefit from our unparalled knowledge and experience in marketing great numismatic collections through public sale both as a consignor or as an enthusiastic collector. Jo... ]
Arsantiqva London - A London Numismatic House, offers coins and medals, available in room auctions, on-line auctions and shop.
BidCoin.com - A community of coin collectors, featuring auctions.
Bowers and Merena Galleries - Rare coin dealer and auction house, providing rare coins to collectors, dealers, and museums across the world.
Meta Description: [ Bowers and Merena Auctions is America's leading rare coin dealer and auction house, providing rare coins to collectors, dealers, and museums in all parts of the world. ]
Canadian Coinoisseur - Conducting simultaneous live and online numismatic auctions of condition-rare Canadian coins and other numismatic rarities.
Coin Auction - Online auction of world coins with scans.
Meta Description: [ Your Coin Auction on the Internet. Here you will find Coins, Paper Money, Medals and more. ]
Coin Auction Site - World wide coin auction site, registration required.
Dix Noonan Webb - Auctioneer of rare coins and medals.
Meta Description: [ Coin and Military Medal enthusiasts: the largest online numismatic database in the world, quality medals for sale, forthcoming auction catalogues, current news, informative articles and much more. ]
e-Costa - Internet coin and stamp auction site. Offers a new auction every fortnight. Site in English and Dutch.
Meta Description: [ Internet stamp auction and internet coin auction stamps coins postal history, old letters, postal cards, medals, banknotes and collectables as cinderellas, revenues. We are sworn brokers. New auction every fortnight ]
Gatewest Coin Ltd. - Canadian firm specializing in Canadian Mint and Proof sets.
Goldberg Coins and Collectibles Auctions - Auctions of coins, currency, collectibles, rare gold silver commemorative ancient coins.
Meta Description: [ Auctioneers, Rare coin dealers, Coin Auctioneers, Rare coins, Collectibles, Antiquities. ]
NumisMedia Online Auctions - Featured US coins include Mercury Dimes, Buffalo Nickels, and Indian-head Cents.
Meta Description: [ Featured Coin Auctions close Monday-Friday between 6:00-7:00pm Eastern Time. Coins in all categories are available 24 hours. Registering to Bid is easy, free, and allows you to immediately begin bidding on rare coins. ]
Ponterio and Associates, Inc. - Auction house specializing in ancient and world coins. Current auctions, schedules, and staff introductions.
Meta Description: [ Ponterio & Associates is the premier auction house for rare coins and currency, specializing in Latin countries and world ancients. ]
Rauch Auctions - H. D. Rauch GmbH, Vienna, Austria. Auctions and online shop. Coins, stamps, decorations, and medals.
Meta Description: [ Auctions H. D. RAUCH, coins - stamps - decorations - medals, online shop, online catalog ]
Stack's Rare Coins - Conducts major rare coin auctions and handles many major rare coins through their online listings and their retail shop.
Meta Description: [ Welcome to Stack's, a team of rare coin professionals, highly skilled in the presentation of numismatic auction sales. You can benefit from our unparalled knowledge and experience in marketing great numismatic collections through public sale both as a consignor or as an enthusiastic collector. Jo... ]
Superior Galleries - Selling and buying rare coins and fine art, specializing in Art Deco and Art Nouveau.
Meta Description: [ Welcome to Superior Galleries, a legendary coin company and one of America's premiere auction houses. Our rare coin professionals, highly skilled in the presentation of numismatic auction sales, provide unparalled knowledge and experience in marketing great numismatic collections through public s... ]
UOPT Auctions - From collectors to collectors. Offering mostly Russian and German coins, antiques and militaria.
Meta Description: [ Buy and sell antiques, coins, stamps and other collectibles on UOPT online auction ]
Weaver Coin Auction - Central US live coin auctions. Includes complete listing with images. Auctions scheduled every three weeks. Phone and email bids accepted.
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